health

Weekly Class Overview:  “Ongoing Weight Management”

Losing weight is challenging; Keeping it off is even harder.
Most diets will work for short-term weight loss, and really you have so many options to choose from. Evidence to date supports that many different types of diets can work for weight loss, but regardless of the type of diet used, a negative energy balance must be present for fat loss to occur.  In other words, caloric deficit is still the foundation for weight loss.  The bigger question remains:  how do people maintain that weight loss long-term?  The answer lies somewhere between, “it’s personal” and “it’s extremely nuanced.”

Losing weight and keeping it off requires nothing less than a complete lifestyle transformation.  Losing weight sustainably involves managing stress, getting quality sleep, and creating new habits around diet and exercise.  This proves easier said than done considering many of our existing habits began in early childhood. We live in a culture that promotes sedentary behavior–a culture where it’s often cheaper to eat junk food than it is whole, natural foods.  We live in a culture where it’s OK, and even encouraged to medicate strong emotions with junk food.

Individuals looking to lose or maintain weight MUST arrange their world for success.  Meal planning must become priority.  Physical activity must become a priority.  Managing stress and sleeping well must become a priority.  First, a person must recognize the extreme importance of self-care and arrange their environment in a way that supports the health behaviors they need to succeed.

Finally, any good plan must be supported.  Build your team with expert nutritionists, fitness trainers, counselors or psychologists and culinary experts.  Build your friend base to include friends who want to do active things, and friends that are making health and nutrition choices that you wish to emulate.  What are the health habits of those around you?  Do these people have health, vibrancy and energy?  Do they live to eat, or eat to live?  You are a product of those people you spend the most time with.  Don’t believe me? Test it out.  Look at the 5 people that you spend the most time with.  If you are struggling to maintain your healthy habits, look no further than your peers, friends, family and coworkers.  Either you must be the change you wish to see, or you will have to set appropriate boundaries.

Check back often.  We love to do cooking classes and we love to be out at grocery stores, teaching people how to shop smart.  Here’s our schedule:  Nutrition Solutions Schedule